Bicycle Carrier with Integrated Work Stand

ABSTRACT

A bicycle carrier is provided with an integrated work stand to support a bicycle during maintenance or repair. The integrated work stand may be used when the bicycle carrier is in a non-use configuration. The non-use configuration may also comprise a storage configuration for the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may retract into the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may include an arm with a clamp mechanism at one end of the arm. The bicycle carrier may include a locking mechanism to lock the integrated work stand in place with respect to the bicycle carrier. Integrated work stands having jaws may capture the frame of a bicycle in the jaws.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/584,500 filed on Jan. 26, 2022, which claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/864,392 filed on May 1,2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,427,045 issued on Aug. 30, 2022, which is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/706,378 filed Sep. 15, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,668,866issued on Jun. 2, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/395,172, filed Sep. 15, 2016, which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to portable racks, andspecifically to hitch-mounted carriers.

Bicycles, skis, snowboards, and other large devices often must betransported to a location before being used for travel or recreation. Asit is often impractical, undesirable, or impossible to carry these itemsinside a vehicle, various racks have been created for coupling theseitems to vehicles for exterior travel. Conventional bicycle carrierequipment can be roof mounted, trunk mounted, or hitch mounted to thevehicle.

A disadvantage of these bike carriers, however, is that they aregenerally bulky and take up a lot of space either on the roof or rearportion of the vehicle. Additionally, hitch mounted bike carriers formultiple bikes take up a large relative amount of space that isundesirable for the user when the carriers are not being utilized totransport or store bicycles.

Known bike carriers may also suffer from a large number of disadvantageswhich make it inconvenient for a user to transport or store at least onebike thereon. Current bike carriers often are limited by the size of thebike which can be operatively attached with such bike carrier. If thebike does not fit, these bike carriers typically provide noadjustability. Novel and unobvious hitch-mounted carriers are set forthherein, as will be evident from reviewing the description below and theaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented elsewhere.

In one embodiment a hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may include a hitchattachment assembly having opposed first and second ends; a supportmember rotatably coupled to the hitch attachment assembly first end formovement; a latch bar having a body, the body having a protrusion; atleast two opposed plates being connected to the support member, thehitch attachment assembly, and the latch bar, each plate having a body,and at least one of the at least two plate bodies having at least twodepressions, wherein the protrusion of the latch bar is configured to betemporarily captured therein; and a foot pedal connected to the latchbar; wherein manipulation of the foot pedal manipulates the protrusionof the latch bar between the at least two depressions, and wherein whenthe latch bar protrusion is temporarily captured within a depression.

In a further embodiment of the hitch mounted bike carrier, the supportmember and the hitch attachment assembly are configured to bemanipulated into first and second configurations, the firstconfiguration being where the hitch attachment assembly and the supportmember are generally perpendicular; a second configuration being wherethe hitch attachment assembly and the support member are generallyparallel.

In another embodiment of the hitch mounted bike carrier, the body of theplate may further include a seating surface, the seating surfaceenabling the support member and the hitch attachment assembly to befurther configured to be manipulated into a third configuration, whereinin the third configuration the support member is at a traverse anglewith respect to the hitch attachment assembly and the latch bar ispositioned on the seating surface. The support member position in thethird configuration may be at an acute angle (i.e. 40 degrees) from asupport member position in the second configuration.

In one embodiment, the hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may further includea spring connected at one end thereof engaging the protrusion of thelatch bar and biases the latch bar in a direction, such that theprotrusion of the latch bar is temporarily captured within the first andsecond depressions.

In a further embodiment, the hitch mounted bike carrier may include afront tire tray assembly and a rear tire tray assembly, each beingtraverse to a direction of the support member, each being located onopposed sides of the support member and each configured to position awheel of a bike thereon.

In another embodiment of the hitch mounted carrier, the support member,hitch attachment assembly, front tire tray assembly and a rear tire trayassembly are constructed of at least one of aluminum, plastic, andcarbon fiber.

In one embodiment, the front tire tray assembly may include a housingand first and second front tire support members, each support memberhaving a generally U-shaped inner seat surface, wherein the U-shapedinner seat surface is configured to hold a tire. The first and secondfront tire support members may be separated by an elongate curvedconnecting rod, and wherein the first support member is rotatablycoupled to the front tire tray assembly housing.

In another embodiment, the hitch mounted bike carrier may furtherinclude a strap assembly, the strap assembly being positioned on therear tire assembly and including a clamp and a strap.

In a further embodiment, the hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may furtherinclude a cable lock assembly, the cable lock assembly being housedwithin the rear tire assembly and including a cable and a lock, whereinthe cable passes through the lock to secure the cable and lock assembly.The cable lock assembly may further include a slider having a body withfirst and second parallel apertures running through the body, and thecable of the cable lock assembly may include of at least first andsecond separate cords, wherein the first and second cords pass slideablythrough the respective first and second parallel apertures of the sliderwhen the cable lock assembly is housed within the rear tire trayassembly.

In still another embodiment, the hitch-mounted bicycle carrier mayfurther include a hook arm assembly, the hook arm assembly beingrotatably coupled to at least one of the rear tire tray assembly and thefront tire tray assembly at a first end, the hook arm assembly having atubular elongate arm with a hooked component at a second end, the hookedcomponent being configured to temporarily capture a wheel of a biketherewith. The hook arm assembly may further include: a buttonpositioned at the second end of the hook arm assembly; an inner portionhoused within the elongate arm; a ratchet pawl engaging ridges of aratchet rack, the ratchet rack and pawl positioned within the tubularelongate arm, the ratchet pawl connected to the inner tube andconfigured to hold the inner portion at a point along the ratchet rackwherein the pawl is situated in the ridges of the ratchet rack; a rodconnected to the button on a first end of the rod and the ratchet pawlat a second end of the rod, the button being configured to adjust theratchet pawl along the ridges of the ratchet rack, thereby manipulatinga length of the hook arm assembly by at least one of elongating theinner portion of the hook arm assembly and retracting the inner portionof the hook arm assembly. The hook arm assembly may further include afirst torsion spring biasing the ratchet pawl in a direction, such thatthe ratchet pawl is temporarily captured within the ridges of theratchet rack. The hook arm assembly may be frictionally coupled to atleast one of the rear tire tray assembly and the front tire trayassembly at a first end, such that when the hook arm assembly is pivotedto a location, the hook arm assembly is frictionally held in theselected location.

In another embodiment, the hitch attachment assembly may furtherinclude: a tubular housing having first and second halves, the tubularhousing having an aperture for which a ball may be captured therein; arotatable knob located at the first half of the housing and connected toa rod, the rod located within the tubular housing; a cam block locatedwithin the housing on the second half of the housing and being elongateand having a groove running parallel with the tubular housing, thegroove having a ramp at a first cam block end, and wherein the ballengages the groove, the cam block also having an elongate aperture forwhich a bolt passes through; and wherein when the knob is rotated thecam block is shifted to and away from the knob and the ball rotatesabout the groove in an opposite direction from the cam block until atleast one of the following occurs: the bolt engages a side of theelongate aperture and the ball engages the ramp.

In one embodiment, the hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may further includea docking assembly, the docking assembly rotatably coupled to thesupport member, the docking assembly may include: a tubular housing witha first end and a second end; an inner portion positioned within thehousing of the docking assembly; a ratchet pawl engaging ridges of aratchet rack, the ratchet rack and pawl positioned within the housing ofthe docking assembly, the ratchet pawl connected to the inner portionand configured to hold the inner portion at a point along the ratchetrack wherein the ratchet pawl is temporarily captured in the ridges ofthe ratchet rack; a clamp assembly including a fixed jaw arm andmoveable jaw, wherein the fixed jaw is connected to the tubular housingat the first end, and the moveable jaw is connected to the innerportion; a knob is connected to the moveable jaw of the clamp; a rodconnected to the knob at a first end of the rod and to the ratchet pawlat a second end of the rod and positioned through the inner portion andthe fixed and moveable jaws of the clamp, such that manipulation of therod manipulates the ratchet pawl; and wherein the knob being configuredto rotate or pushed inward with some force adjusts the ratchet pawlalong the ridges of the ratchet rack, thereby manipulating a distancebetween the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw of the clamp assembly by atleast one of elongating the inner portion of the docking assembly andretracting the inner portion of the docking assembly. The dockingassembly may further include a first torsion spring biasing the ratchetpawl in a direction, such that the ratchet pawl is temporarily capturedwithin the ridges of the ratchet rack. The knob of the docking assemblymay be a first knob and the docking assembly may further include asecond knob being configured to restrict rotation of the tubular housingof the docking assembly.

In another embodiment, the docking assembly is removeably coupled to thesupport member, and configured to be utilized with a separate stand.

In a further embodiment, a hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may include: ahitch attachment assembly having opposed first and second ends; asupport member rotatably coupled to the hitch attachment assembly firstend; a front tire tray assembly being located along a first side of thesupport member and configured to position a wheel of a bike thereon; arear tire tray assembly being located along a second side of the supportmember being opposed to the first side, the rear tray assembly beingaligned with the front tire assembly and configured to position a wheelof a bike thereon; and a docking assembly, the docking assemblyrotatably coupled to the support member, the docking assembly mayinclude: a tubular housing with a first end and a second end; an innerportion positioned within the housing of the docking assembly; a ratchetpawl engaging ridges of a ratchet rack, the ratchet rack and pawlpositioned within the housing of the docking assembly, the ratchet pawlconnected to the inner portion and configured to hold the inner portionat a point along the ratchet rack wherein the ratchet pawl istemporarily captured in the ridges of the ratchet rack; a clamp assemblyincluding a fixed jaw arm and moveable jaw, wherein the fixed jaw isconnected to the tubular housing at the first end, and the moveable jawis connected to the inner portion; a knob is connected to the moveablejaw of the clamp; a rod connected to the knob at a first end of the rodand to the ratchet pawl at a second end of the rod and positionedthrough the inner portion and the fixed and moveable jaws of the clamp,such that rotation of the rod manipulates the ratchet pawl; and whereinthe knob being configured to rotate and adjust the ratchet pawl alongthe ridges of the ratchet rack, thereby manipulating a distance betweenthe fixed jaw and the moveable jaw of the clamp assembly by at least oneof elongating the inner portion of the docking assembly and retractingthe inner portion of the docking assembly.

In one embodiment, a hitch-mounted bicycle carrier may include: a hitchattachment assembly having opposed first and second ends; a supportmember rotatably coupled to the hitch attachment assembly first end; afront tire tray assembly being located along a first side of the supportmember and configured to position a wheel of a bike thereon; a rear tiretray assembly being located along a second side of the support memberbeing opposed to the first side, the rear tray assembly being alignedwith the front tire assembly and configured to position a wheel of abike thereon; and a hook arm assembly, the hook arm assembly beingrotatably coupled to at least one of the rear tire tray assembly and thefront tire tray assembly at a first end, the hook arm assembly having atubular elongate arm with a hooked component at a second end, the hookedcomponent being configured to temporarily capture a wheel of a biketherewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and may includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

A further understanding of the invention may be had by reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hitch-mounted carrier according to anembodiment with a portion of a hitch or mount shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 withportions shown in phantom displaying the hitch-mounted carrier in threeconfigurations.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 withportions shown in phantom displaying the hitch-mounted carrier in threeconfigurations.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a top of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hitch mounted carrier of FIG. 1 withthe tire hook arms extended upwardly.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 , a bike,and a vehicle with portions cut away, the pivot assembly being in athird position.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the front tire tray assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the front tire tray assembly taken alonglines 10-10 of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 with portions shownin phantom.

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the hook arm assembly and the front tiretray assembly taken along lines 12-12 of the hitch-mounted carrier ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the tire hook arm assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the tire hook arm assembly taken along thelines 14-14 of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 with portions cutaway to show detail of interaction between ratchet pawl and ratchet racksleeve.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the hitch shank ball cam assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 with portions cut away and shown inphantom.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the pivot assembly and hitch attachmentassembly of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 17 is a magnified perspective view of the pivot assembly of FIG. 4with portions shown in phantom and portions cut-away to show furtherdetail.

FIG. 18 is a magnified perspective view of the pivot assembly of FIG. 5with portions shown in phantom.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the rear tire tray assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 20 is a cross section of the rear tire tray assembly taken alonglines 20-20 of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 21 is a magnified view of the attachment member assembly.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the lock and cable assembly withportions of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 cut away.

FIG. 23 is a magnified view of the lock and cable assembly in use withportions cut away.

FIG. 24 is a magnified view of the lock and cable assembly in asecondary use with portions cut away.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the bike dock assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 26 is a side view of the bike dock assembly of the hitch-mountedcarrier of FIG. 1 . in a closed position with portions shown in phantom.

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the bike dock assembly of thehitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the hitch-mounted carrier of FIG. 1 with thebike dock assembly rotated outward and in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional changes may be made. Moreover, features of the variousembodiments may be combined or altered. As such, the followingdescription is presented by way of illustration only and should notlimit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may bemade to the illustrated embodiments. In this disclosure, numerousspecific details provide a thorough understanding of the subjectdisclosure. It should be understood that aspects of this disclosure maybe practiced with other embodiments not necessarily including allaspects described herein, etc.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a bike carrier or hitch-mounted carrier 1 adaptedto support at least one bike 12 thereon. The carrier 1 may be capable ofselectively attaching to a vehicle 8 in any appropriate manner. In theillustrated example of FIG. 9 , the carrier 1 is connected to a hitchreceiver 2 at a first end 4 of the carrier 1, the hitch receiver 2 beingattached to a rear portion 5 of a vehicle 8. The bike carrier 1 may,therefore, extend from the rear portion 5 of the vehicle 8. As a meansof an example, the bike 12 may include a rear or first wheel 14 and anopposite front or second wheel 16.

The carrier 1 may include front tire tray assembly 18; hook arm assembly22; pivot assembly 26; hitch attachment or ball cam assembly 28; reartire tray assembly 30; and a bike docking assembly 34. The bike dockingassembly 34 being located at a second end 6 of the hitch-mounted carrier1. The bike docking assembly 34 may also be referred to as a bicyclework stand 34. The front tire tray 18 corresponding with the rear tireassembly 30 are secured and attached to the pivot assembly 26 on opposedsides 38, 39 of a support member 36. In one non-limiting example, thefront tire tray assembly 18 and the rear tire tray assembly may beattached to the support member 36, and in particular may be attached toeither side 38, 39 of the support member 36 in any appropriatemanner—including, without limitation via fasteners, screws, bolts,welding, adhering or the like. Still further, it may be monolithicallyformed with the support member 36. It is also foreseen that the fronttire tray assembly and rear tire tray assembly may be slideably attachedand/or telescoping from the support member 36.

The front tire tray 18 and rear tire tray 30 respectively configured andaligned to situate an individual bike 12 thereon (FIG. 9 ). The carrier1 may further may include as illustrated front tire tray assembly 20;hook arm assembly 24; and rear tire tray assembly 32, which may besubstantially similar to their counterparts front tire tray assembly 18;hook arm assembly 22; and rear tire tray assembly 30. In one embodiment,an individual bike 12 may be oriented in one direction and a second bike12′ may be oriented in the opposite direction (FIG. 24 ). It isunderstood that the orientations of the front tire trays 18, 20 and reartire trays 30, 32 and therein the bikes 12, 12′ situated thereon may bereversed or otherwise attached. It is foreseen that an adapter (notshown) could be attached to the bike carrier at the end 6 to supportadditional bike carrying capacity.

The bike carrier 1 including as illustrated: the front tire trayassembly 18; hook arm assembly 22; pivot assembly 26; hitch shank ballcam assembly 28; rear tire tray assembly 30; and a bike docking assembly34 may be made of any appropriate material, such as for example steel,aluminum, a composite metal or an alloy. Alternatively, the bike carrier1 may also be made of a combination of other moldable polymer materialssuch as plastics, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and the like. The bikecarrier 1 may be further coated with a metallic powder.

Referring now to FIG. 10-11 , the front tray assembly 18 may include afront tire cradle assembly 40, a cradle arm housing 42, a hold plate 44,pivot barrel nut 46, a cradle mount 48, arm connector cap 49, and apivot holding screw 50. The arm connector cap 49 connects the front trayassembly 18 to the support member 36. The position of the front tiretray assembly 20 relative to the support member 36 may allow for aconventional wheel or tire, such as front tire 16 to be situated andbalanced on the front tire cradle 40. The front tire cradle 40 may beaffixed to the cradle arm housing 42 in any appropriate manner,illustrated herein by screws through the cradle mount 48. The cradlemount 48 has a curvate surface 52, the curvate surface having anelongate aperture 54. The cradle mount 48 also may include at least aportion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 56 opposite the curvatesurface 52. The elongate aperture 54 passes through the ridges 56 andthe curvate surface 52, for which the pivot holding screw 50 may passthrough (FIG. 11 ). The ridges 56 terminate and a stop surface 57 may belocated at the top of the ridges 56.

The hold plate 44 may be affixed to the cradle arm housing 42 in anyappropriate manner, such as utilizing fasteners, being snap-fitted,friction fitted, welded, adhered or may be monolithically formed or acombination thereof. The hold plate may include a curvate surface 58,the curvate surface having an elongate aperture 60, for which the pivotholding screw 50 may pass through (FIG. 11 ). As such, the aperture 54and the holding plate aperture 60 align.

The pivot barrel nut 46 may be situated in-between the hold plate 44 andthe cradle mount 48, such that a circular circumferential outer surface62 of the pivot barrel nut 46 may be positioned between the curvatesurfaces 52,58 (FIG. 11 ) such that the surfaces engage. The pivotbarrel nut 46 further may include a pass through aperture 64. The passthrough aperture 64 aligns with apertures 54, 60, such that the pivotholding screw 50 may also pass through.

The front tire cradle assembly 40 may include a fore wheel supportmember 66, an aft wheel support member 68, and elongate connectors 70.The aft wheel support member 68 may have a body 71 and a base 72, thebase 72 being secured to the body 71. The base 72 may have a generallyU-shaped cross sectional configuration for receiving and supporting aportion of a wheel or tire, such as front wheel 16—although the presentteachings are not limited to this specific configuration. The base 72may be of any appropriate cross-sectional shape, including withoutlimitation a C-shape, V-shape, etc. The base 72 is envisioned to be atan angle that is configured to mate with the circumference of a fronttire 16 of the bike 12. It is foreseen in some embodiments, the aftwheel support member 68 may include a fastener (not shown). The aftwheel support member body 71 may also include an aperture 74, for whichthe pivot holding screw 50 may interface with. The aft wheel supportmember body 71 may further may include at least a portion of a gear,teeth, bumps, or ridges 76 and a stopping protrusion 77 opposite thebase 72, which mate and align with the ridges 56 to create aninterlocking relationship, for example, such as a ratchet and pawl (FIG.11 ).

The fore wheel support member 66 may be attached to aft wheel supportmember 68 to create a cradle for which a front wheel 16 may be held. Thefore wheel support member 66 may have a second base 73 may have agenerally U-shaped cross sectional shape and may be attached to thesecond bracket 69. The second base 73 may be of any appropriatecross-sectional shape, including without limitation a C-shape, V-shape,etc. The second base 73 may be configured to receive a portion of thewheel of the loaded bicycle 12, such as the front wheel 16.

In the illustrated example, the fore wheel support member may beattached to elongate connectors 70 at one end 78 thereof. The first end78 of the elongate connectors 70 pass at least partially throughrespective apertures 80 of the fore wheel support member 66 and by wayof a non-limiting example, may be attached utilizing fasteners, beingsnap-fitted, friction fitted, welded, adhered or may be monolithicallyformed or a combination thereof to the fore wheel support member 66.Likewise, the second of the elongate connectors 70 passes at leastpartially through respective apertures of the aft support member 68 andmay be further attached to the aft support member 68. At portion 75 ofthe elongate connectors 70 at the second end 79 may be orientatedstraight and then curves downward to the first end 78. The angle of thecurve may be adapted to mimic the curvature of the front wheel 16, suchthat the fore wheel support member 66 engages the front wheel 16 at afurther point down the circumference of the front wheel 16. It isforeseen that the elongate members 70 may be telescopic or lengthwiseadjustable relative to the fore and aft support members 66, 68.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , the front tire cradle assembly 40 may berotatably adjustable or pivotable about the pivot barrel nut 46 withrespect to the cradle arm housing 42. In some embodiments, the forewheel support member 66 may include the fastener or pivot holding screw50. The fastener 50 may be ergonomically configured to allow the user toeasily toggle the fastener 50 in a tightened or loosened orientationrelative to at least one of the front tire cradle assembly 40, barrelnut 46, cradle mount 48, hold plate 44, and cradle arm housing 42. Whenthe pivot holding screw 50 is loosened, the front tire cradle assembly40 can rotate up and down with respect to the cradle arm housing 42, asthe pivot holding screw 50 is manipulated up and down and limited by theinner surface boundaries of apertures 54, 60, 64. Likewise, as the fronttire cradle assembly 40 pivots upward and downward, the ridges 56 engageand interlock with ridges 76 in a gear-like fashion, such as a ratchetand pawl. The front tire cradle assembly 40 pivots downward until stopprotrusion 77 of the body 71 of the aft wheel support member 68 engagesthe stop surface 57 of the cradle mount 48. The front tire cradleassembly pivots upward until stop protrusion 77 of the body 71 of theaft wheel support member 68 engages the ridges 56 of the cradle mount48. Once the front tire cradle assembly 40 is positioned as desired, thefastener 50 may be tightened to lock in a position anywhere within thebounds of the apertures 54, 60, 64 and stop protrusion 77.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-13 , the tire hook arm assembly 22 may beattached to the front tire tray assembly 18 by means of at least one ofa stop bushing 81, at least one friction clip 83, a friction sleeve 85,and a fastener 87. Along a side 84 of the cradle arm housing 42 runningperpendicular to the cradle arm housing 42 may be an arm protrusion 86,so shaped to situate itself within a tubular portion 91 of a retainingarm 93 of the hook arm assembly 22. The arm protrusion 86 may have atleast one shelf surface 89 located on an end thereof, so as to mate withinner surfaces 97 of the friction sleeve 85. The retaining arm may havea curved portion 95 that connects with the tubular portion 91.

The stop bushing 81 may be circularly shaped with individual pressureplates 90 at least partially separated by individual spaces 92. It isforeseen that the stop bushing 81 and the pressure plates may be twoseparate pieces engaging one another and constructed of two differentmaterials. The pressure plates interact with an inner surface 98 of thetubular portion 91 to create a friction fit. It is foreseen that thestop bushing 81 may further may include a stop surface (not shown) thatwould interact with a protrusion 94 located on a lower end 96 of thehook arm assembly 22. It is envisioned that the stop surface would stopthe rotation of the hook arm assembly 22 about the arm protrusion 86.

The at least one friction clip 83 is illustrated as being shaped likering with an outer surface 88 and a predetermined thickness. The atleast one clip 83 may be situated such that the arm protrusion 86 passesat least partially through the friction clip 83. The friction clip 83may further aid in creating a friction fit with the inner surface 98 ofthe tubular portion 91.

The friction sleeve 85 may be shaped like an elongate ring or tube. Thefriction sleeve 85 may be situated on one end 100 of the tubular portion91. It is foreseen that the friction sleeve may further include a gap A,which may be straight or angled. The gap A allows for expansion of thefriction sleeve 85 when interacting with at least one of the fastener 87and the protrusion 86. The protrusion may act to spread the frictionsleeve 85 further open to increase the friction pressure fit of thefriction sleeve 85 and the tubular portion 91. The friction sleeve 85may further aid in creating a friction fit with the inner surface 98 ofthe tubular portion 91.

The hook arm assembly 22 may be pivotally arranged relative to the fronttire assembly 18 (FIG. 8 ). The tubular portion 91 of the retaining arm93 may be arranged so it rotates or pivots about the protrusion 86 ofthe front tire tray assembly 18. The friction fit of at least one of thecomponents: stop bushing 81, at least one friction clip 83, a frictionsleeve 85, and a fastener 87 configure the hook arm assembly 22 toremain at the relative position or angle it may be oriented to (FIG. 8). The retaining arm 93 may be pivoted and adjusted into a position tosupport either the frame or the wheel of the bike 12 onto the carrier 1.This adjustment of the bike carrier 1 is configured to accommodatedifferent sizes of wheels and frames for various bikes 12. It isforeseen that the hook arm assembly may also be in a floppyconfiguration that does not stay in the position left without furtherassistance, i.e. positioning it on the front tire.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14 , the illustrated hook arm assembly 22 mayinclude a retaining arm 93, ratchet pawl 102, a torsion spring 104, aratchet pin 105, a push rod spring guide 106, a ratchet arm compressionspring 108, a ratchet pushrod 110, an inner arm tube 112, a pushrod 114,a hook component lower portion 116, a ratchet hook button 118, a hookcomponent upper portion 120, an upper cap 138, and a ratchet rack sleeve122. The upper portion 120 and the lower portion 116 of the hook armassembly may be attached utilizing by way of non-limiting examples:fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded (i.e. sonicwelded), adhered or may be monolithically formed or a combinationthereof to each other. The lower portion 116 may include a curved orhooked section 124 configured to hold at least a portion of a wheel,i.e. front wheel 16. Likewise, the upper portion 120 may include acurved or hooked section 126 that may be sized and shaped to mate atopan upper surface 125 of the lower portion 116. The lower portion 116 mayinclude an elongate bore 121 with an exit 123 through the side of thelower portion 116 near a top thereof. The bore 121 houses the ratchethook button 118 at exit 123 and an end 127 of the inner arm tube 112 andthe pushrod at a lower exit 133.

Additionally, the hook arm assembly 22 may include the toggle member orratchet hook button 118 that may selectively unlock and release theinner arm tube 112 into a position to elongate or lengthen, as well ascontract or collapse the hook arm assembly 22. The button 118 may besubstantially cubed shaped and may include rounded edges for bettertopographic or more ergonomic feel. In the illustrated example, thebutton 118 may include a first indent, cavity, or cutout 128 on a bottomside 131 that may be sized and shaped to substantially cover a pin 129that acts as a pivot for the button 118. The button 118 also may includea second indent, cavity, or cutout 130 that may be sized and shaped tomate with an end 132 of the pushrod 114, so as to be able to manipulatethe pushrod 114 in a lengthwise direction, as will be further discussedbelow.

The retaining arm 93 may be tubular with an inner surface 134. Housedand running parallel within the tube along and engaging the innersurface 134 may be the ratchet rack sleeve 122. The ratchet rack sleeve122 may be attached utilizing by way of non-limiting examples:fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded (i.e. sonicwelded), adhered or may be monolithically formed or a combinationthereof to the inner surface 134. The ratchet rack sleeve 122 mayinclude a at least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 136along an inner surface 137 of the ratchet rack sleeve 122. At the pointwhere the retaining arm 93 meets the lower portion 116 of the hook armassembly 22 may be a cap 138. The cap 138 may be tubular and covers thetop ends of both the retaining arm 93 and the ratchet rack sleeve 122.The cap 138 creates a stop surface 140 such that the lower portion 116abuts against the stop surface 140 of the cap 138. It is foreseen thatthe racket rack sleeve 122 may be two separate pieces engaging oneanother.

Housed and running parallel within the retaining arm 93 and engaging theridges 136 of the ratchet rack sleeve 122 may be the inner arm tube 112.The inner arm tube 112 may be an elongate tube with an inner surface139. Unlike the ratchet sleeve 122, the inner arm tube 112 may beslideable with respect to the retaining arm 93 and the ratchet racksleeve 122 and passes at least partially within the bore 121 of the hookcomponent upper portion 116. At a far end 127 of the inner arm tube 112may be a pass through aperture 142 for which the ratchet pin 105 maysituate therethrough. Along at least one side 144 of the inner arm tube112 may be an aperture 146 configured to allow a tooth portion 148 ofthe ratchet pawl 102 to at least partially pass through. In theillustrated example, the aperture 146 is square shaped, but isenvisioned to be any geometric shape, i.e. rectangular, circular, etc.

The ratchet pawl 102 may be an elongate component situated within theinner arm tube 112 near the end 127. The ratchet pawl 102 has a body150, two opposed arms 152, and the tooth portion 148. The body 150extends lengthwise into the two opposed arms 152 create a channel 154in-between the arms 152 that runs perpendicular to the body 150. Eacharm 152 has an individual aperture 156 that may be sized and shaped forthe ratchet pin 105 to pass through. The ratchet pin 105 may furtherlock the ratchet pawl into a position. The tooth portion 148 runsperpendicular to the body 150 and passes through the aperture 146 toengage and interface with the at least a portion of a gear 136 of theratchet rack sleeve 122, thereby creating a ratchet and pawlconfiguration.

Situated within the channel 154 may be the torsion spring 104. Thetorsion spring 104 may be a coil 157 with two ends 158 orientedsubstantially straight in the direction of the lower portion 116 and anaperture 159 that may be sized and shaped for the ratchet pin 105 topass through (FIG. 15 ). The torsion spring 104 operates to fix thetooth portion 148 downward and engaging the at least a portion of a gear136 of the ratchet rack sleeve 122, unless released as will be furtherexplained below.

The push rod spring guide 106 may be situated at or near the end 127 ofthe inner arm tube 112 and engages the ratchet pawl 102. The push rodspring guide 106 may include a projection 160, a body 162, and arms 164.At an end 166 of the body 162 are two arms 164 rising perpendicular tothe body 162, which runs lengthwise along the inner arm tube 112. Thearms 164 each have an aperture 168 that may be sized and shaped for theratchet pin 105 to pass through. The apertures 156, 159, 168 are eachaligned with one another such that the ratchet pin 105 holds therespective ratchet pawl 102, torsion spring 104, and the push rod springguide 106 in place. The projection 160 is illustrated as an elongatecylinder. The projection 160 passes at least partially through a bore176 of the ratchet arm compression spring 108. The ratchet armcompression spring 108 may be an elongate coil that runs lengthwisewithin the inner arm 116 and circulates about the bore 170.

The ratchet pushrod 110 may include a body 172 having a rod hole 179 anda spring hole 176. The rod hole may have a conical inner surface 178 andthe body 172 may be at least partially likewise shaped to provide suchan inner surface 178. The rod hole 179 being sized and shaped to capturethe pushrod 114 within. The spring hole 176 may be tubular shaped andsized to capture and align the compression spring 108 situated on theprojection 160. The body 172 may be cylindrically shaped so as toprovide a tubular shape for the spring hole 176.

The front tire tray assembly 18 and the hook arm assembly 22 areconfigured to support the loaded bicycle 12 in an upright position, suchthat a portion of a wheel, i.e. front tire 16 may be supported by thefront tire tray assembly 18 and another portion of the wheel may becapture by the hook arm assembly 22. The hook arm assembly 22 extendsand/or retracts the inner arm tube 112, such that the overall length ofthe hook arm assembly 22 may be adjusted (FIG. 8 ). It is foreseen thata tire adaptor (not shown) may be added to the hook arm assembly 22 tobetter wrap about smaller tires radius tires, as well as, smaller tirewidth.

The hook arm assembly 22 may be extended and/or retracted bymanipulating the button 118, which pushes the pushrod 114 downwardly,which in turn manipulates the ratchet pushrod 110 downwardly, whereinthe body 172 compresses the compression spring 108 to manipulate theratchet pawl 102 upwardly thereby removing the tooth portion 148 frombeing captured by the at least partial gear 136 of the ratchet racksleeve 122. The pushrod 114 may be aligned or substantially capturedwith fasteners 123. Once released the compression spring 108 expandspushing the inner arm tube 112 in the opposite direction, i.e. upwardly,thereby extending the overall length of the hook arm assembly 22. Thetorsion spring 104 manipulates the tooth portion 148 of the ratchet pawl102 to be captured again by the at least partial gear 136 of the ratchetrack sleeve 122, therein locking the hook arm assembly 22 at aparticular length. The length manipulation may be altered by how manyridges 136 at situated on the ratchet rack sleeve 122. It is foreseenthat depending on the shape of the ridges 136 that locking may only bein one direction, wherein manipulation of the button 118 may not berequired to respectively extend or retract depending upon the directionof the gear teeth.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , the hitch attachment or ball cam assembly 28may be a capable of attaching to the hitch receiver 2 at the rearportion 5 of the vehicle 8 (FIG. 9 ). The hitch attachment assembly 28may be configured to be attached to any sized vehicle hitch 2, such asclass I, II, III, or IV. A hitch pin 180 may pass through apertures (notshown) in the hitch receiver 2 and may further include a lockingapparatus 182 to deter theft and vandalism by restricting the hitch pin180 from being removed.

The hitch attachment assembly 28 may include hitch shank 184, cam block186, ball 188, bolt 190, and knob assembly 192. The hitch shank 184 maybe tubular in shape oriented in the longitudinal direction L and havinga first end 183 and a second end 185.

The knob assembly 192 may include a knob 194, knob housing 196, and ashaft or rod 198. The knob housing 196 may be situated on the first end183 adjacent the knob 194. The knob housing 196 may be attachedutilizing fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded oradhered to the hitch shank 184 or may be monolithically formed with thehitch shank 184 or a combination thereof. The shaft 198 may be situatedin a center of the knob 194 and knob housing 196.

The cam block 186 may be situated within the hitch shank 184 at or nearthe second end 185 such that at least a portion of the cam block 186 maybe covered by the hitch shank 184. The cam block 186 may besubstantially cylindrically shaped with a pin aperture 187, a boltaperture 189, and a ball groove 191. The pin aperture 187 may beelongate in the longitudinal direction L and may be sized and shapedsuch that the hitch pin 180 may be slideable about an inner surface 193of the pin aperture 187. Likewise, the bolt aperture 189 may be elongatein the longitudinal direction L and may be sized and shaped such that abolt 190 may be slideable about an inner surface 195 of the pin aperture187. The ball groove 191 may be a cut-out end to end longitudinally andsituated about the top half of the cam block 186. The ball groove 191may be sized and shaped such that the ball 188 may rest within thegroove 191. As the ball groove 191 approaches the second end 185 of thehitch shank 184, it may ramp upwardly. It is foreseen that the ballgroove 191 may taper or cam as the groove 191 approaches the second end185. The ball 188 may be situated within a ball aperture 197 of thehitch shank 184 (FIG. 16 ), such that the ball 188 may be captured bythe hitch shank 184 and the ball groove 191. It is foreseen that theball 188 may rotate once loaded within the hitch receiver 2.

The shaft 198 may be elongate in the longitudinal direction L and isillustrated as cylindrically shaped. The shaft 198 has a first end 199which may be secured to the knob 194 and a second end 201, which may besecured by threads 207 located within a threaded aperture 203 located onone end 205 of the cam block 184 covering at least a portion of thethreads 207 thereof. The knob 194 may be rotatable and affixed to theshaft 198, such that the shaft 198 rotates with the knob 194.

It is envisioned that once the bike carrier 1 may be loaded within thehitch receiver 2, and in order to tighten (or dampen wobbling) andloosen the hitch mounted carrier 1, the knob 194 may be rotated.Rotation of the knob 194 causes the rod or shaft 198 to rotate, androtation of the rod 198 causes the cam block 186 to move (i.e., towardsor away from the knob 194, depending on the direction that the knob 194is rotated) due to the interaction between the rod threads 203 and thethreaded aperture 203. The knob 194 rotates the shaft 198 about thethreaded aperture 203 to displace the cam block 186 longitudinally. Inone direction the bolt 190 and bolt aperture 189 and pin 180 and pinaperture 187 may stop, limit, or restrict the longitudinal movement andin the opposed direction the camming effect of the ball groove 191interacting with the ball 188 may stop, restrict or limit movement ofthe cam block 186 in the longitudinal movement.

It is foreseen that any kind of hitching system, mechanism or othermeans of attachment to a vehicle 8 may be used without departing fromthe present teachings. Moreover, it should be appreciated that thefeatures, components, elements and functionalities of the otherembodiments may be combined or altered to achieve the bike carrier 1without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18 , the pivoting assembly 26 may include aribbed back cap 208, a latch bar 210, a pivot spring cover 212, mountingplates 214, foot pedal 216, dual torsion spring 218, support member 36,pivot pin 220, and plates 222. Each plate 222 may be a substantiallysolid upright sheet being traverse to the longitudinal direction L. Theplates 222 may be attached utilizing by way of non-limiting examples:fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded, sonic welded,adhered or may be monolithically formed or a combination thereof to thehitch attachment assembly 28. The plates 222 run perpendicular to thehitch attachment assembly 28 on opposed sides or opposite one anotherand spaced apart by the dimension of the hitch attachment assembly 28,the separation creating a channel 223 between the two plates 222. Eachplate 222 has a pass through aperture 224 for which the pivot pin 220may pass through. To deter theft and vandalism, the pivot pin 220 may bea security bolt (e.g., a rivet, a bolt requiring an uncommon wrench forremoval, etc.). Each plate 222 may have a rounded top surface 230 and asloped back surface 232. On the top surface 230, each plate 222 may havea first notch 226 and a second notch 228 grooved upon. Each notch 226,228 may be defined by and illustrated with at least three sides 233,234, 235, 233′, 234′, 235′ (FIG. 17 ).

The ribbed cap 208 may be situated within the channel 223 between thetwo plates 222 (FIG. 16 ). The ribbed cap 208 may be attached utilizingby way of non-limiting examples: fasteners, being snap-fitted, frictionfitted, welded, sonic welded, adhered or may be monolithically formed ora combination thereof to each of the plates 222 respectively. The ribbedcap 208 may be sized and shaped to substantially cover the back surfaces232 of the plates 222 and at least a portion 236 of the top surfaces 230of the plates 222. The ribbed cap 208 includes a body 238 and aprotrusion 240 that projects longitudinally from the body 238. Theprotrusion 240 may further include a lip 242 that runs substantiallyperpendicular to the protrusion 240. In the illustrated example, atleast the protrusion 240 and lip 242 are ribbed. The protrusion 240 maybe situated just above the pivot pin 220 (FIG. 17 ).

Each mounting plate 214 may be a substantially solid upright sheet. Byway of a non-limiting example, the mounting plates 214 may be attachedto the support member 36, and in particular may be attached to anunderside 27 of the support member 36 and to the plates 222 in anyappropriate manner—including, without limitation of non-limitingexamples: fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded, sonicwelded, adhered or may be monolithically formed or a combinationthereof. Each mounting plate 214 run substantially perpendicular to thehitch attachment assembly 28 and are attached to opposite sides 38, 39of the support member and are opposed to and spaced apart from to oneanother. Each mounting plate 214 may have a pass through pin aperture244 for which the pivot pin 220 may pass through or substantially passthrough. Each mounting plate 214 may further include a portion 246 thatmay be folded about a predetermined angle, such that the support member36 may be better situated in-between the mounting plates 214. Eachmounting plate 214 may be shaped to generally conformed to at least aportion 27 of a circumference of the support member 36 and be attachedwith fasteners 249. Each mounting plate 214 may further include a secondaperture 248 for which a portion of the latch bar 210 may pass through,substantially pass through, or be further attached thereto. Eachmounting plate 214 may further include a hook 250 for which the dualtorsion spring 218 may be situated thereon. The mounting plate 214 mayfurther include a sloped back surface 251 which may align with thesloped back surface 232 of the plates 222.

The dual torsion spring 218 may include two individual coils 252, eachwith a pass through bore 253, each coil 252 connected to one another atends 254, 255 by a lateral portion 256. The dual torsion spring 218 maybe captured by the hooks 250 of the mounting plate 214 at opposed ends258, 259. It is foreseen that the dual torsion spring 208 may be anindividual or single spring (not shown).

The latch bar 210 may include a body 262 and a bar 263. The body 262 ofthe latch bar 210 may be cylindrically shaped with a first end 264 and asecond end 266. The first end 264 may connect with the foot pedal 216.The first end 264 may connect by means of a hexagonal interface 268 thatmay mate with a hexagonal aperture 270 of the foot pedal 216. It isforeseen that the hexagonal interface may be any geometrical shape ororientated in such a way such that the foot pedal 216 may only beinstalled in one orientation. The second end 266 may further include agroove 272 which may mate with an elongate projection 274 so as to alignthe latch bar 210 with at least one of the mounting plates 214. The bar263 is illustrated as rectangular shaped and connected to the body 262of the latch bar 210 by a projection portion 276. It is foreseen thatthe bar 263 may be other geometrical shapes, i.e. circular. In theillustrated example, the latch bar 210 is overall I-shaped, but may beotherwise shaped, i.e. T-shaped, L-shaped, etc. The lateral portion 256of the dual torsion spring 218 may be situated on a top surface 265 ofthe bar 263 of the latch bar 210, thereby pressing at least the bar 263of the latch bar 210 downward (FIG. 17 ). The ends 264, 266 of the body262 of the latch bar 210 pass through the torsion spring bores 253.

The pivot spring cover 212 may be situated in-between the mountingplates 214. The pivot spring cover 212 may be attached utilizing by wayof non-limiting examples: fasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted,welded, sonic welded, adhered or may be monolithically formed or acombination thereof to each of the mounting plates 214 respectively. Thepivot spring cover 212 may include a sloped back surface 276 that mayalign with the sloped back surface 251 of the mounting plates 214. Thepivot spring cover 212 includes a body 278, wherein at least one portion280 of the body 278 curves upwardly creating a seating surface 282, inwhich, the body 262 of the latch bar 210 may rest therein.

The foot pedal 216 may include a body 282, the body 282 having an upperportion 284, a lower portion 286 and a bore 288. A fastener 290 mayutilize the bore 288 to attach the foot pedal 216 to the latch bar 210.It should be understood to one skilled in the art that the foot pedal216 may be attached by other means. The bore 288 may further include thehexagonal opening 270. The upper portion 284 may be curved so as to notinteract or engage either the front tire tray assembly 18 or the reartire tray assembly 30 (as illustrated in FIG. 18 ). The lower portion286 of the foot pedal 216 may include ridges 292 to further aid increating a friction hold with a user's foot to assist in manipulatingthe foot pedal 216. The foot pedal 216 may be rotatable about the bore288 as will be further described in detail below.

By way of a non-limiting example, the pivoting assembly 26 may includethe pivot pin 220, the pivot pin 220 may create a pivot for the hitchattachment assembly 28 and the support member 36. The pivot pin 220,latch bar 210, and foot pedal 216 combination of the pivoting assembly26 may allow the support member 36 to rotate relative to the hitchattachment assembly 28 about a pivot point (e.g. pin aperture 224). Thismotion is illustrated by FIGS. 4, 5, 17, and 18 . The pivoting assembly26 may permit the bike carrier 1 to be selectively positioned between afirst position or storage configuration 300 a, a second position or useconfiguration 300 b, or a third position or trunk access configuration300 c. Any position or configuration other than the use configuration300 b may be referred to as a “non-use configuration”.

When at the storage configuration 300 a, the support member 25 isgenerally perpendicular to the hitch attachment assembly 28 (e.g.,offset between about seventy degrees to about one hundred and tendegrees). In some embodiments, the support member 36 may be offsetapproximately ninety degrees from the hitch attachment assembly 28 whenat the first configuration 300 a. In the first position 300 a (shown inphantom in FIG. 17 ) the bar 263 of the latch bar 210 is positionedwithin the first notch 226 and substantially captured therein so as torestrict, limit, or restrain further movement. The body 262 of the latchbar 210 may rest on the top surface 230 of the plate 222. The bar 263engages at least two of the second notch surfaces 233′, 234′, 235′.

When at the use configuration 300 b, the support member 36 and the hitchattachment assembly 28 are generally parallel (e.g., offset by no morethan about five degrees). In the second position 300 b, the bar 263 ofthe latch bar 210 may be positioned within the second notch 228 andsubstantially captured therein so as to restrict, limit, or restrainfurther movement. The body 262 of the latch bar 210 may rest on the topsurface 230 of the plate 222. The bar 263 engages at least two of thesecond notch surfaces 233, 234, 235.

The pivoting assembly 26 may permit the bike carrier 1 to be selectivelyrotated or pivoted to the third configuration 300 c, wherein the supportmember 36 may be offset to an acute angle (i.e. ten to fifty degrees)from the second position, an example of the bike carrier 1 in the thirdposition 300 c is shown in FIG. 9 . In the third position 300 c, the bar263 of the latch bar 210 may be positioned to engage the top surface 230of the plate 222. The body 262 of the latch bar 210 may rest on theportion 236 of the plate 222 that may be covered by the ribbed cap 208.It is foreseen that this portion 236 creates a seat 294, wherein thebody 262 of the latch bar 210 is substantially captured so as torestrain, restrict, or limit further movement of the support member 36(shown in phantom in FIG. 17 ).

To transition from one position to the next (i.e. first to second, firstto third), the bar 263 of the latch bar 210 must be freed from captureof either notches 226, 228 or the latch body 262 must be freed from theseat 294. For example, when in the first position 300 a, the bar 263 ofthe latch bar 210 may be captured within the first notch 226. The footpedal 216 may be rotated or depressed (i.e. through manipulation ordepressing of the lower portion 286), which rotates the dual torsionspring 218 until it is stopped by at least one the hook 250 or the lowersurface 27 of the support member 36, and rotates the latch bar body 262,which in turn lifts the bar 263 from the first notch 226, allowing thebar 263 and body 262 to slide along the top surface 230 of the plate 222until either the bar 263 it is captured again within the second notch228 or the body 263 of the latch bar 210 is captured within the seat294. Once the foot pedal 216 is released the dual torsion spring 218again puts downward pressure on the top surface 265 of the bar 263. Ifmoving from the first position 300 a to the third position 300 c, onewould have to maintain the depression of the foot pedal and manipulatethe support member 36 further to allow the skipping of the secondposition 300 b. In the second position 300 b, the foot pedal 216 couldrelease the bar 263 to either return to the first notch 226 and thereinthe first position 300 a or release the bar 263 of the latch bar 210,such that the body 262 of the latch bar 210 is captured within the seat294 as in, in the third position 300 c.

Referring now to FIG. 19-20 , the rear tray assembly 30 may include acable lock assembly 302, a tray housing 304, a rear cap 306, a rear armconnector cap 307, a lock cable guide 308, a tire strap assembly 310,and a magnet 312. The position of the rear tire tray assembly 30relative to the support member 36 may allow for a conventional wheel ortire, such as rear tire 14 to be situated and balanced on the rear tiretray housing 304. Additionally, the rear tray assembly 30 may belengthwise adjustable relative to the support member 36.

The rear arm connector cap 307 connects the rear tray assembly 30 to thesupport member 36. The rear arm connector cap 307 may be affixed to therear tray housing 304 and support member 36 as illustrated herein byscrews 305, but may be in any appropriate manner, such as utilizingfasteners, being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded, adhered or may bemonolithically formed or a combination thereof. The rear arm connectorcap 307 includes a body 311 with a first end 313 and second end 315.Situated within the body 311 may be the magnet 312 on the first end 313.The body 311 may include a curved surface 317 to better fit the circularsides 38, 39 of the support member 36.

The tray housing 304 may be tubular and may include a lengthwise bore314 for which the cable lock guide 308 may be positioned inside. Thecable lock guide 308 includes a body 319 defining a first bore 316further defining a first cylindrical inner surface 318 and a second bore320 defining a second cylindrical inner surface 322. The first bore 316situated atop the other bore 320. The first bore 316 may include alengthwise top opening 324 along at least a portion of the first bore316 that defines side surfaces 326, 328. Likewise, the second bore 318may include a lengthwise lower opening 330 along at least a portion ofthe second bore 320 that defines side surfaces 332, 334. The sidesurfaces 326, 328, 332, 334 may engage four corners of an inner surface335 defined by the bore 314 of the housing, so as to align and guide thecable lock assembly 302. In the illustrated example, the cable lockguide 308 may be substantially x-shaped in cross section.

The rear tray housing 304 includes an outer surface 336 for which thetire strap assembly 310 may be affixed to. The tire strap assembly 310may be attached in any appropriate manner, such as utilizing fasteners,being snap-fitted, friction fitted, welded, adhered or may bemonolithically formed or a combination thereof to the rear tray housing304. It is foreseen that the strap assembly may also be housed on thefront tire tray assembly 18 or the support member 36. It is foreseenthat the tire strap assembly 310 may be adjustable to differentlocations on the rear tire tray housing 304 to fit different lengthtires. The strap assembly 310 may include a strap portion 338 and aclamp, ratchet, or buckle assembly 340. The strap portion 338 mayinclude ridges 342. The ridges 342 may increase in quantity as theridges 342 approach a first end 344. The buckle assembly 340 may besituated at the second end 345 of the strap portion 338 and may includea pass through aperture 346 and a pawl 348. The strap portion 338 may beslotted through the aperture 346 and the pawl 348 will engage the ridges342 in a mating-like manner (FIG. 21 ). The buckle assembly 340 mayfurther include a clamp 350, such that the pawl 348 may be locked intoposition. The tire strap assembly 310 would thereby capture aconventional wheel or tire, such as rear tire 14 that may be situatedand balanced on the rear tire tray housing 304 (FIG. 22 ). Likewise, theclamp 350 may be released, so that the strap portion 338 may be removedfrom the pass through aperture 346.

The rear cap 306 may be affixed to the rear tray housing 304 in anyappropriate manner, such as utilizing fasteners, being snap-fitted,friction fitted, welded, adhered or may be monolithically formed or acombination thereof. The rear cap 306 may include a body 360 and aprojection portion 362, wherein the projection 362 may be positionedwithin the bore 314 of the rear tray housing 304. The rear cap 306 mayinclude a pass though bore or recession 351. The bore 351 has two exits352, 354, on an end 355, which pass through the projection portion 362of the rear cap 306 and may align or run parallel to the first andsecond bores 316, 318 of the cable lock guide 308, such that cable lockupper and lower cords 356, 358 may pass through said exits 352, 354 andbores 316, 318, respectively (FIG. 21 ). The projection 362 may act as astop for the lower cord 358 as will be further explained below.

The cable lock assembly 302 may include the upper cord 356, the lowercord 358, a lower cable first end piece 364, a cable tip 366, a slider368, an upper cable end piece 370, a lock 372, and a latch tip 374. Thecable lock assembly upper cord 356 being cylindrical in shape andelongate in a traverse direction. The upper cord 356 may include thelatch tip 374 at a first end 376 and upper cable end piece 370 at asecond end 378. The lower cord 358 also being cylindrical in shape andelongate in a traverse direction. The lower cord 358 may include thecable tip 366 at a first end 380 and lower cable end piece 364 at asecond end 382. The cords 356, 358 may be made from hardened iron, steelor the like and may be chain linked with or without an elementsprotective (anti-corrosion) covering. The cords 356, 358 are illustratedas being stacked and parallel to one another running in a directiontraverse to the longitudinal direction L. The lower cord 358 beingslightly shorter in length than the upper cord 356 (FIG. 21 ). The lowercable end piece 364 having a larger diameter than the diameters of theupper and lower cords 356, 358 and the lower bore 354 of the rear cap,such that the lower cable end piece 364 acts as a stop, such that thelower cord 358 does not pass completely through the rear cap 306 (FIG.23 ). The lower end piece 364 may be comprised or made of a ferrousmaterial, such that the magnet 312 is attracted to the lower end piece364 (FIG. 21 ). It should be appreciated that the magnetic strength ofthe magnet is envisioned to restrict the falling out of the cable lockassembly 302, and not strong enough to limit the slideability ormaneuverability of the lower cord 358 within the rear tray housing 304,as will be described below.

The slider 368 may include a body 384, the body 384 having an outersurface 385 that may be cylindrically shaped with an oval cross section.The body 384 may be situated within the bore 351 when in a non-useconfiguration. The body 384 defines a first upper bore 386 and a secondlower bore 388. The first upper bore 386 may allow the upper cord 356 topass through and be slideable with respect thereto. The upper cable endpiece 370 may be cylindrically shaped with a larger diameter than theupper cord 356 (FIG. 21 ). The diameter of the first upper bore 386 maybe large enough for the upper cord 356 to slide therewith, while theupper cable end piece 370 may be too large, such that the slider 368acts as a stop, wherein the upper cord 356 does not pass completelythrough. Likewise, the second lower bore 388 may allow the lower cord358 to pass through and be slideable with respect thereto. The cable tip364 may be cylindrically shaped with a larger diameter than the lowercord 358 (FIG. 21 ). The diameter of the second lower bore 388 may belarge enough for the lower cord 358 to slide therewith, while the cabletip 364 may be too large, such that the slider 368 acts as a stop,wherein the lower cord 358 does not pass completely through. The slider368 may also be positioned within the first and second bore 351 of therear cap 306 and may also be slideable with respect to the bore 351.

The lock 372 may include a body 390 with an outer surface 398, which maybe an elongated cylinder with an oval cross section. The body 390 may besituated within the bore 351 and may engage the slider 368 when in anon-use configuration (FIG. 20 ). The body 390 has an upper portion 392,wherein a pass through bore 394 may be situated longitudinally. Locatedbelow the bore 394 may be a locking mechanism 396. The latch tip 374 ofthe upper cord 356 may be positioned within the bore 394 such that theupper cord 356 may be slideable within the bore 394. The latch tip 374is illustrated as having a larger diameter than the upper cord 356, suchthat the bore 394 acts as a stop in one direction, such that the uppercord 356 does not pass entirely through the bore 394 (FIG. 21 ). Thelatch tip 374 may interact with the locking mechanism 396 to lock theupper cord 356 and thereby locking the cable lock assembly 302 to thebike 12 (FIG. 23 ).

Referring to FIG. 22 , it is foreseen that the bore 351 of the rear cap306 may have a bottom opening 357 which would allow for the easygripping capacity of the cable lock assembly 302 and potentially theslider 368. In a use configuration, the cable lock assembly 302 may bepulled out from the rear tray housing 304 and either locked to one bike12 (FIG. 23 ) or multiple bikes 12, 12′ (FIG. 24 ). It is foreseen atleast two cable locking assemblies (not shown) could be combined tocreate a lock and latch system. In the use configuration, the uppercable end piece 370 may stop, limit, restrain, or restrain the lengthmanipulation of the upper cord 356 and both the lower cable end piece364 and cable tip 366 may act as stops to limit, restrain, or restrictthe length manipulation of the lower cord 358 when pulling out the cablelock assembly 302. It is foreseen that the cable lock assembly 302 mayalso be housed on the front tire tray assembly 18 or the support member36.

Referring to FIGS. 25-27 , the bike docking assembly or work stand 34may include a rear cap 400, a docking assembly housing 402, a ratchetrack 404, a ratchet pawl 406, a dual torsion spring 408, an ejectorspring 409, an inside clamp 410, an outside clamp 412, a knob 414, a rod416, a pivot assembly 418, an end piece 420, and an inner tube 422. Thedocking assembly housing 402 may be cylindrically shaped along atraverse direction (to the longitudinal direction L) defining an outersurface 425 with a central bore 424 defining an inner surface 426.

The rear cap 400 may be cylindrically shaped and at least a portion ofthe rear cap may be situated within the central bore 424 of the dockingassembly housing 402 at an end 417 thereof. In the illustratedembodiment, the rear cap 400, the outside clamp 412, the ratchet rack404 are all fastened or attached together by screws 428, 428′. Thescrews 428, 428′ are illustrated as being identical and are positionedparallel with the docking assembly housing 402. One screw 428 may bepositioned along a bottom portion 430 of the docking assembly housing402, and the other screw 428′ may be positioned along a top portion 432docking assembly housing 402.

The pivot assembly 418 may allow the bike docking assembly 34 to rotateabout the support member 36 or the longitudinal direction L, as well asthe traverse direction (to the longitudinal direction L) and allow forlongitudinal extension and retraction (FIGS. 8 and 28 ). The depictedembodiment of the pivoting assembly 418 includes an elongate cylindricalportion or arm 419 being parallel to the longitudinal direction L, atubular portion 421 running traverse to the elongate portion or arm 419,and a knob 423. The docking assembly housing 402 is rotatable about thepivoting assembly 418. The elongate portion or arm 419 may be attachedto the tubular portion 421 and positioned within the support member 36near a top 435 thereof. The tubular portion 421 may include a bore 427for which at least a portion of the docking housing 402 may be situatedtherein. The outer surface 425 may be slideable in a rotational andtraverse direction while within the tubular portion 421. The rear cap400 has pockets or depressions 429 that mate with ridges 431 located ona side 433 of the knob 423. When the knob 423 interacts with the rearcap 400, such that when the ridges 431 mate within the pockets 429, theknob 423 blocks rotation of the docking assembly housing 402, the clamps410, 412, and the knob 414.

The pivoting assembly 418 may further include a latch and lockingassembly 438, wherein the elongate portion or arm 419 may be unlockedand locked by a latch 440 (FIG. 6 ). The latch and locking assembly 438is envisioned to attach to the support member 36 at the top 435 thereof.The latch and locking assembly 438 would allow for capture of theelongate portion or arm 419, therein allowing longitudinal movement inlengthwise adjustment and retractions of the docking assembly 34 (FIG.28 ). FIGS. 6 and 8 show the embodiment of the pivoting assembly 419 ina stored position. FIG. 28 shows the embodiment of the pivoting assemblyin a use position.

The ratchet rack 404 may be an elongate four sided monolithic piece in atraverse direction and positioned within the docking assembly housing402. A top side or surface 436 may include a rounded or curved portionto aid in positioning along the inner surface 426 of the dockingassembly housing 402. Side 437 is opposed to the side 436 and mayinclude at least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 and aprotrusion 441.

The inner tube 422 may be elongate with a semi-circular or U-shapedcross section for a predetermined length 442 in the traverse direction.The inner tube 422 may include a central bore 444 with a top opening 446running at least partially the predetermined length 442 of the innertube 422. The at least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439being positioned within the top opening 446. The inner tube 422 mayfurther include a groove 448 for which the fastener 428 may passthrough. The groove 448 of the inner tube 422 may create a seatingsurface 466 for which the rod 416 may engage or rest upon. The innertube 422 may include a slide bumper 450 at or near a top surfacethereof. The slide bumper 450 interacting with the inside clamp 410 aswill be further described below. The inner tube 422 may be attached tothe outer clamp 412 by any appropriate manner—including, withoutlimitation via fasteners, screws, bolts, welding, adhering or the likeon a first or outer end 452. Likewise, the inner tube 422 may beattached to the end piece 420 by any appropriate manner—including,without limitation via fasteners, screws, bolts, welding, adhering orthe like on a second or inner end 454.

The end piece 420 may include a body 455 having protrusions 456, 456′which run parallel to the inner tube and situate within grooves 458,458′ running within and parallel to the inner tube 422. The end piecebody 455 substantially covers the inner tube end 454 and has asubstantially U-shaped outer surface 460. The end piece 420 may furtherinclude a tubular portion 462, wherein the tubular portion 462 maysituate within the groove 448 of the inner tube 422. The tubular portion462 may house the ejector or compression spring 409 as will be furtherdescribed below.

The inner clamp 410 may include body 465 having a U-shaped (or W-shaped)bore 466 defining a U-shaped (or W-shaped) inner surface 468 for whichthe inner tube 422 may be slideable with respect thereto. The slidebumper 450 may engage the inner surface 468. The body 465 may be furtherdefined as having a curved hook-like protrusion or jaw 470. The outerclamp 412 may include a body 472 having a central bore 474 defining aninner surface 476 for which the rod 416 may pass therethrough. The outerclamp 412 may include a curved hook-like protrusion or jaw 478, which isa mirror image of the protrusion 470, such that the hook-likeprotrusions or jaws 470 and 478 create a familiar C-shaped clampingmechanism with a channel 471 there-between.

The knob 414 may be cylindrically shaped and may be connected to the rod416 in any appropriate manner—including, without limitation viafasteners, screws, bolts, welding, adhering or the like. The knob 414may allow the rod 416 to be rotated about the traverse direction. Therod 416 may be connected to the ratchet pawl 406 at an opposed end 480.The rod may include a circular groove 482 about which the ratchet pawl406 may rest upon. It is foreseen that the end 480 of the rod 416 mayinterface with the ratchet pawl 406 in other manners, i.e. threads.

The ratchet pawl 406 may include a body 484 with two opposed arms 486,thereby creating a channel 488 there-between. The rod 416 positionedwithin the channel 488. On an opposed side or top surface 490 may be apawl or tooth-like structure 491. The pawl 491 engaging and interactingwith the at least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 ofthe ratchet rack 404 to capture at least a portion of the inner tube 422within the docking assembly housing 402 (FIGS. 26-27 ). The dual torsionspring 408 may be connected to the ratchet pawl 406 in any appropriatemanner—including, without limitation via fasteners, screws, bolts,welding, adhering or the like. The dual torsion spring 408 may be biasedto maintain the engagement of the pawl 490 to the at least a portion ofa gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 of the ratchet rack 404.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-27 , the docking assembly 34 has an openposition or configuration 500 a (FIG. 27 ) and a closed position orconfiguration 500 b (FIG. 26 ). To shift from the closed position 500 bto the open position 500 a, the knob 414 is rotated in one direction,this in turn puts pressure on the dual torsion spring 408 biasing thepawl 490 such that the ratchet pawl 406 is released from capture of theat least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 of the ratchetrack 404. The ejector spring 409 is at a compressed state when thedocking assembly 34 is in a closed position 500 b, and when the pawl 406is released from the at least a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, orridges 439 of the ratchet rack 404, then the compression spring 409 mayexpand to the full length to immediately extend the inner tube 422 untilthe pawl 406 may be stopped by the protrusion 441 of the ratchet rack404 (FIG. 27 ). The inner tube 422 may also include a pin 501 that maybe stopped by the protrusion 441.

To shift from an open position 500 a to a closed position 500 b, it mayjust take a force in the one direction to re-capture the pawl 406 in atleast a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 of the ratchetrack 404 or the knob 414 and rod 416 combination may be rotated in theopposite direction to tighten the pawl 406 individually across the atleast a portion of a gear, teeth, bumps, or ridges 439 of the ratchetrack 404 back to the closed position 500 b. The difference in channel471 length between the hook like protrusions 470,478 in a closedposition 500 b and an open position 500 a may be based on thepredetermined length 442 of the inner tube 422. As the pawl 460 isadjusted back to the closed position 500 b, the ejection spring 409 iscaptured by an end 504 of the tubular portion 462 of the end piece 420and begins to compress storing potential energy.

Referring to FIG. 28 , it is envisioned that a portion of a bike 12(i.e. a cross bar or seat bar) may be captured within the channel 471between the hook like protrusions 470,478. The docking assembly 34creates a holding position for a bike to allow for mechanical repair oradjustments of the bike above the ground. It is foreseen that thedocking assembly 34 may be removeably coupled to the support member 36,so as to also be utilized with a separate stand.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present inventionhave been described with the intent to be illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisanmay develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsmay be of utility and may be employed within the scope of thedisclosure. Further, various steps set forth herein may be carried outin orders that differ from those set forth herein without departing fromthe scope of the present methods. This description shall not berestricted to the above embodiments.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

Substantially” or “about” means to be more-or-less conforming to theparticular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified bythe term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. Forexample, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the objectresembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a truecylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of thevarious components depicted, as well as components not shown, arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described withthe intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, ratherthan restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do notdepart from its scope. Specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ thepresent invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilledartisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

1. A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising: a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration; a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member; wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member to a plurality of bicycle support positions; wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground at one of the plurality of bicycle support positions by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
 2. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration.
 3. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame.
 4. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground.
 5. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
 6. A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising: a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration; a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member; wherein the arm pivots with respect to the support member; and a locking assembly to fix the arm with respect to the support member; wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
 7. The bicycle carrier of claim 6 wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member.
 8. The bicycle carrier of claim 7 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
 9. The bicycle carrier of claim 8 wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground.
 10. The bicycle carrier of claim 6 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame.
 11. A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising: a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration; a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member; wherein when the support member is in a non-use configuration, the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle by its frame to allow for repair or adjustments; and wherein the bicycle docking assembly comprises an arm with a clamp mechanism at an end thereof, and the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
 12. The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the bicycle docking assembly.
 13. The bicycle carrier of claim 12 wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member.
 14. The bicycle carrier of claim 13 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
 15. The bicycle carrier of claim 13 further comprising a locking assembly configured to lock the bicycle docking assembly with respect to the support member.
 16. The bicycle carrier of claim 15 wherein the locking assembly comprises a latch to prevent movement of the arm with respect to the support member.
 17. The bicycle carrier of claim 15 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for squeezing a portion of a frame of a bicycle.
 18. The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration.
 19. The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the bicycle docking assembly supports the bicycle with both wheels above the ground.
 20. The bicycle carrier of claim 12 wherein the bicycle docking assembly pivots with respect to the support member from a stored position to a use position. 